Creating Models › Target Servers for Physical Models › Database Property Editors › SQL Server 2008 Property Editors › Define an Asymmetric Key in SQL Server

Define an Asymmetric Key in SQL Server

Use the SQL Server Asymmetric Key Editor to define security keys at the database level in a SQL Server 2008 or 2012 physical model.

To define an asymmetric key in SQL Server

1. Click Target - SQL Server, Security, Asymmetric Keys on the Model menu.

   The SQL Server Asymmetric Key Editor opens.

2. Select the asymmetric key in the Navigation Grid that you want to define and work with the following options:

   Note: Click New on the toolbar to create a new asymmetric key. Use the Enter filter text box to filter a very large list of asymmetric keys to quickly locate the one that you want to define.

   Name

   Displays the asymmetric key name. You can change the asymmetric key name in this field.

   Database

   Specifies the database in which the asymmetric key resides.

   Authorization

   Specifies the owner of the asymmetric key. Select a name from the drop-down list.

   Generate

   Generates SQL during forward engineering. Clear the check box if you do not want to generate SQL.

3. Click the General tab and select one of the following password options for the asymmetric key:

   Algorithm

   Specifies to use an encoding algorithm for the asymmetric key. Select the encoding algorithm to use from the drop-down list.

   Key Source Type

   Specifies the source of the asymmetric key. Select one of the following options:

   File

   Specifies to use a file as the key source. A File field appears under the Key Source Type field, where you select the file to use to encrypt the asymmetric key from the drop-down list.

   Note: Click New to open the SQL Server File Editor to create a new key file.

   Executable

   Specifies to use an executable as the key source. A File field appears under the Key Source Type field, where you select the file to use from the drop-down list.

   Note: Click New to open the SQL Server File Editor to create a new executable file.

   Assembly

   Specifies to use a SQL Server assembly file as the key source. An Assembly field appears under the Key Source Type field, where you select the assembly to use to encrypt the asymmetric key from the drop-down list.

   Note: Click New to open the SQL Server Assembly Editor to create a new assembly.

   Cryptographic Provider

   Specifies to use a cryptographic provider as the key source. Additional fields appear under the Key Source Type field for you to further define the cryptographic provider: Cryptographic Provider, where you select the cryptographic provider to use to encrypt the asymmetric key; Provider Key Name, where you enter the name of the key on the extensible key device; and Disposition, where you select how to handle the key on the extensible key device.

   Note: Click New to open the SQL Server Cryptographic Provider Editor to create a new cryptographic provider.

4. Click the Permission tab to define the permissions for the asymmetric key.
5. (Optional) Click the Comment tab and enter any comments that you want to associate with the asymmetric key.
6. (Optional) Click the Where Used tab to view the objects in the model that are using the selected asymmetric key.
7. (Optional) Click the UDP tab to work with user-defined properties for the asymmetric key.
8. (Optional) Click the Notes tab to view history information and view or edit user notes.
9. Click Close.

   The asymmetric key is defined and the SQL Server Asymmetric Key Editor closes.